A charge-coupled device (CCD) spectrophotometer for measuring marine bioluminescence

Abstract

We have designed and built a spectrophotometer which detects low intensities of light by means of a charge-coupled device (CCD). The instrument is easy to use and calibrate, and it allows simultaneous spectral (3.0 nm bandwidth) and temporal (10 ms integration time) measurements of flashes from luminescent organisms. The entire operation of the spectrophotometer as well as data acquisition and processing are carried out by an IBM PC AT personal computer. The system is portable, can be used at sea, and could be modified for remote or in situ monitoring of bioluminescent populations. Data from the flashes of bioluminescent dinoflagellate Pyrocystis fusiformis are presented as examples of the resolution and sensitivity of the instrument.